Pride Goeth [Milliways]

[princeinexile]

His place was still clean; mostly because he had barely been here since she had seen him last. The dogs followed thme up, happily padded over to the pile of blankets, and dropped down into them once Zuko had reached a kitchen chair and sat down

Comments

[allican_do]

She feels as odd here as she did the last time. Out of place and unwelcome, even if he'd been the one to let her in. At least this time, the freedom of his apartment wasn't preceeded by false smiles.

Katara hesitates before the door, watching him carefully, thinking. How best to help him, what does he need right now? Only one glance told her that.

She moves toward the fridge - he needs food and drink first of all. She just hopes not all of his food is rotten.

[princeinexile]

This is The Magic Bar. Does anything really go bad here?

Don't answer that. Regardless, he has restocked. Isn't that nice. He doesn't seem, however, interested in what she's doing. She's just -- there, in his things.

Who cares, right?

[allican_do]

Zuko does, she's certain. And it doesn't make Katara any more comfortable about being in his home.

There is some quiet puttering at his fridge before Katara starts to join him at the table. Quiet, hesitant steps quicken and a bowl of rice is set on the table before Zuko, two glasses of water following.

She sinks into the seat beside him, pushes her braid over her shoulder and gesture, drawing the contents of one of the glasses between her hands.

"...Okay," is said quietly, her eyes on him, hands and water still and waiting. "Just-- start. I'll work while you eat."

[princeinexile]

He sits and stares at the bowl of white rice before him, and the glass of water. "I'm not starving," he says despite the hollows at his cheeks. "I can eat."

Sometime.

But it's useless to argue. This simple thing is a painful chore now. But with her there, he can try.

The pain slithers into his throat, waiting to choke that first bite-- but he stoics it as much as he can. Mustn't appear weak! Not with her, not ever.